Tag Archives: Pittacus Lore

Is everyone refreshed after a long weekend? I worked Friday and Sunday, but I still had a fantastic weekend. Thanksgiving was spent in Columbus with a small gathering of family. We listened to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on the drive there and back. We also took a little field trip to The Gates of Hell. It super creepy! The pic on the right is me, my nephew and my cousin. That is pretty much as far as we got into the dark, echoing tunnel.

This was my first time seeing Episodes II and III and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like them. My 10 year old nephew LOVEDthem! Hopefully we will squeeze Episodes IV-VI before the new movie comes out.

The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore-♥♥♥♥♥. The epic alien invasion begins…and ends on a giant cliffhanger, as usual.

This is Your Life, Harriet Chance by Jonathan Evison-♥♥♥♥

Dr. Mütter’s Marvelsby Cristin O’Keefe Apotwicz-♥♥♥♥. I seem to gravitate towards strange or gruesome nonfiction and this one certainly fits the bill. Dr. Mütter was a pioneering American surgeon who revolutionized the science of surgery. Fans of the show The Knick will want to check this one out! Also, I now have to add The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia to my list of weird places to visit!

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris-♥♥♥♥. I first read this collection of stories years ago, so I was delighted to discover the edition I selected to listen to had six new stories! Santaland Diaries is just as funny as I remember and I have found a new favorite in 6 to 8 Black Men, a story about Christmas traditions in Holland. For the reader who dislikes the schmaltzy Christmas stories. These are sardonic and hilarious.

Winter by Marissa Meyer-♥♥♥♥♥. The Lunar Chronicleshas come to an end. WHY?!? After 800+ pages, I am still not ready for it to be over. A perfect ending to a favorite series.

Today is the day! Holly Black and Cassandra Clare will be speaking at Barnes & Noble in Crocker Park tonight at 6:30. I am so excited! I hope that Holly Black is working on some new YA material. I enjoyed her Doll Bones, but I really miss Cassel. I guess I just need to hear her say that she is done with the Curse Workers. 😦

My sister was visiting from Montana all last week so I really didn’t get much reading in and I continue to be way behind on my goal, but I am confident I can make things up before the end of the year. Here’s what I have been up to:

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynne Barnes is the exciting sequel to The Naturals. I really enjoyed this one and will have a longer review up soon.

Hinterkind by Ian Edington is the first volume in a new graphic novel series. It has an interesting concept-humans have finally fallen to the bottom of the food chain while creatures of legend have regained power. I think I will watch for the next volume.

Fun Homeby Alison Bechdel is another graphic novel, this one a memoir. I really liked this one!

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore. This is such an entertaining series. This installment picks up where the last left off. Full of interesting twists, it sets things up for the final battle. I can’t wait!

Current Audio:

Currently Reading:

On Deck:

Afterworlds was my Random Reads selection for the month of October…That didn’t work out so well for me. I suppose I will have to carry it over to November!

As you may recall, I was super excited about Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon last week. What’s not to be excited about? This event is a biannual excuse to sit and read and snack and drink fancy coffee beverages all day (and if you are tough enough, all night. I am rarely tough enough.)! This year I had the best of intentions. I truly did. You should see the piles of library books that are cluttering my living room. I had a good night’s sleep the night before. I had walked the dog in the rain the morning of the event. I had snacks ready. I had a partner and a destination. It was read-a-thon time! And then it really wasn’t. I turned into chatting time. My reading pal and I work together and there was lots to talk about. So we read a little, chatted a lot, had tasty beverages and a lovely dinner and when our separate ways sometime in Hour 14. I had read exactly 1 book. Later I finished a second and got 2/3 of the way through a third book and fell asleep on my couch around 3:30 am. I only participated in a few mini-challenges and I didn’t win any prizes, but this was still a great way to spend a cold and rainy Saturday! Here’s look forward to April!

Finished:

Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming is a heartbreaking, insightful and charming memoir. Cumming describes how his difficult childhood shaped and influenced his adult life. He also talks about his experience on the show Who Do You Think You Are?, where the mystery of his maternal grandfather’s death is finally solved and revealed. My only regret is that I read it myself instead of waiting for the audio version!

Iron Trailby Holly Black and Cassandra Clare is the first book in a new middle grade series. Maybe I am judging this unfairly, but I could not stop comparing it to Harry Potter and therefore, could not enjoy it as a unique work. So disappointed.

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast is a graphic novel memoir in which the author recounts her aging parents’ failing health and eventual deaths. This book is on the longlist for the 2014 National Book Award for nonfiction. It is hilarious and touching, but I found it to be so sad that I had to take frequent breaks.

El Deafo by Cece Bell is another graphic novel memoir (I am sensing a theme here…) about the author’s experiences as a deaf child in school. I was clever and sweet and I very much enjoyed this one.

It used to be that if I started a book I needed to finish it, whether I was enjoying it or not. Those days are long gone and I no longer have any problem ditching a book that just isn’t working for me. Of course, there are exceptions to any rule, so I do have a list of books that I *almost* gave up on, but for some reason or another pushed through, only to discover a truly amazing book. Oh, those slow starters!

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I did, in fact abandon this book. Twice. And then I got the audio and it was a whole new experience. Suddenly I was sitting in my driveway after work just to hear the end of the track.

2. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. *See Above*

3. Blood Red Roadby Moira Young. I almost gave up because of the dialect. I only pushed on because I felt obligated to finish because I had received an advanced copy from the publisher. I love this series and can’t wait to read the last book!

4. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. I mean, have you seen these books? I only picked it up because I had finally succumbed to peer pressure at work. This book was a chore! But thankfully it all just clicked…over 200 pages in!

5. Going Bovine by Libba Bray. This was another case of the book not working for me, but the audio being just the right thing.

6. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. This is another example of dialect almost ruining it for me. That, and the talking dog. I am so glad I got over my hang ups and finished this awesome series.

7. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. I really enjoyed listening to Code Name Verity, but struggled to get into my print copy of Rose Under Fire. This was in large part due to the fact that this book was much more graphic in describing the horrors of the concentration camps. I really can’t handle Holocaust books and only picked this one because of the previous book. I am glad I finished, but struggle to say I liked it. Make sense?

8. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore. I can’t explain this one. This books are really not that great, especially the first one, but they are so darned compelling! I am strangely hooked.

And how about two that I *did* but down and don’t feel one bit of guilt over?

Did you ever wonder who reads more, teachers or librarians? Well, we will finally learn the answer to that burning question! The gauntlet has been thrown and the summer throwdown was born! You can find all the details here, at Heise Reads and Recommends. I am all signed up and ready read!

What am I reading for the throwdown? Funny you should as because it’s time for another reading list check in. Thanks to Book Journey for hosting It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? and Teach Mentor Text for offering a children’s/YA version.

I finished: (these don’t count for the throwdown)

The Power of Sixby Pittacus Lore. There is something about this series (start with I am Number Four) that compels me to continue. There are some pretty big flaws and yet, I need to know what happens next. I am totally ready for The Rise of Nine.

Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart. This is the final installment of the Ruby Oliver series. It’s fun and charming and offers a satisfying end. Also, I feel relief at finishing a series. I need to keep chipping away at my incomplete series.

Locke & Key, vol 2: Head Games by Joe Hill. The mysteries of the keys continues to unfold as the Locke family continues to explore Lovecraft. Not as bloody as the first, but very creepy and suspenseful!

Gave up on:

Under the Never Skyby Veronica Rossi. Despite the rave reviews, after 10 chapters I still didn’t care. I didn’t like any of the characters and I really disliked the names. While I admire the detailed world-building, I would have liked more explanation as to why. I tried, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Listening to: (this counts)

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi. This is a loose companion to Ship Breaker.I am excited to learn more about Tool and I am looking forward to getting to know Mahlia and Mouse, the main characters of this story.

The Technologists by Matthew Pearl. This one is a bit slow-moving, but I have read a few reviews that say it picks up after a slow start, so I am hanging in there.

Reading: (these totally count too!)

Flockby Wendy Delsol. I am so lucky to have an ARC of the final book in the Stork trilogy!

A Clash of Kingsby George R.R. Martin. Confession time: I am a neglectful friend. I got my friend Kim started on this awesome series and then abandoned her. She is already on book 4, with no one but a battle-crazed guy at work to talk to about the series and I am putzing around with book 2. It is my solemn vow to get crackin’!

I think this will keep me busy for a while. What are you reading? Are you joining the throwdown? What are your predictions for the outcome?

Time for some quick reviews! I recently finished two books with I am in the title and now I will review them both.

First up: I am Number Fourby Pittacus Lore (a pseudonym for authors James Frey and Jobie Hughes)

Teen John Smith and his “father” Henri have lived a life on the run. John and Henri are two of a handful of surviving members of the alien race of Loriens. Their planet was attacked and destroyed by the Mogodorians. In the midst of the chaos nine children and their guardians managed to escape. They reached Earth and scattered, secure in the knowledge that they could only be killed in a certain order. Three are dead and John is number four. When they learn of the demise of number three, the pair pack up and hit the road, settling in Paradise, Ohio. John longs for a normal high school experience, complete with a girlfriend, but it’s hard to be normal when killer aliens are after you.

I have been putting this book off for a while, but I needed to read it before I showed the movie at the library. Yes, I am a book snob that way. I need to read the book before I see the movie. Interestingly enough, I am not a book-to-movie snob. I try really hard not to compare the two things. But I digress…

I am kind of conflicted over this one. On the one hand there are gaping holes in the plot (which kind of moves at a snail’s pace for a good portion of the book). On the other hand, it’s about aliens! With superpowers! It’s about a kid who just wants to fit in and a father-type guy who just wants to protect his kid. It’s about secrets, and loyalty, and falling in love. In the end, despite it’s flaws, I bought in and want to know what happens next. I also have to admit that while I was reading it, I couldn’t help but think of how I would feel if I was one of those alien kids who grew up here but had the enormous responsibility of restoring a planet I could barely remember. I wonder if I would even want to go back? Anyway. In short, no literary gem here, but an interesting read.

Other alien reads include Stuck on Earthby David Klass and The Hostby Stephenie Meyer (which was also a slow start, but ended up being pretty awesome).

Next: I am Number Fourby Markus Zusak

Ed Kennedy is a nineteen-year-old Australian cab driving who lives with a smelly old dog, pines away for his best friend, Audrey, and loves to play cards. He’s an ordinary guy, going nowhere fast, until the day he foils a bank robbery. His glory is short-lived, but shortly after the would-be robber is sentenced, Ed receives an ace of clubs with three addresses written on it. And so begins Ed’s new adventure. Once he visits each address he realizes he is supposed to do something for each person on the list. When he does, more cards and clues arrive, each with a new challenge. The biggest challenge of all, however, is for Ed to decide who he wants to be.

I listened to this one and despite my sister’s warning to not announce this, I am going to admit that it was like having Jesse Spencer drive around with me telling me a story. Kind of awesome.

I really enjoyed this book, and yet I am having a difficult time finding the words to explain why. I liked Ed and his smelly old coffee drinking dog. I liked that Ed was totally game when bizarre things started happening. I liked that the messages were so simple and beautiful. I liked Ed’s damaged and flawed friends. I loved the person Ed becomes. And the writing? It is rich and unsentimental and at times brutal, but every word is important. I wanted them all and more. What I love most about this book is how it made me feel. I felt good listening to this book. And I do enjoy an unlikely hero with a humorous inner monologue!

This book tackles some mature issues, including drinking, sex, and domestic violence, so I recommend it with caution. But recommend it, I do! Give this one to fans of John Green. Read alikes include It’s Kind of a Funny Storyby Ned Vizzini and How to Say Goodbye in Robotby Natalie Staniford.